once you've had non-shedding dogs, you never want to go back to shedders.
There are a lot of pet quality poodles with dwarfism, or short legs. AKC I believe defines toy as under ten inches and under TWENTY POUNDS, which would include a whole lot of the dwarf/short legged type poodles, so I would guess that AKC is trying to be INCLUSIVE of them by their definition, rather than exclude them as defective and undesireable. There are a lot of poodle lovers who have a very strong preference for short legged ones. I realize they are pet quality and could never sneak up on a show point in any conformation class.
If someone wants a dog that will kill vermin and also fetch a ball, (same as go to ground after small mammals and do water retrieves) it should be okay with going in or near water. Sounds like a very nice family dog if you leave your prejudices at the door. It is a crap shoot if it will shed or not. Fifty fifty chance. It will likely have less hair on its face and feet than pure poodles, which although not attractive in my book, may make for a lower maintenence dog. I would ask them to NOT crop the tail if I were you. It will look odd on a long backed dog. Dewclaws, yes, if you are into having their dewclaws done.
Many of the doxies I have known had terrible mean temperaments with serious aggression problems and would attack visitors, bite kids, kill other pets and be nearly impossible to house train, both males and females. You may want to ask about the particular dog that will be a parent to the dog you put your deposit on. Most poodles also have very high game drive and will kill your rabbits, rats, birds, hamsters, chicks, chickens if they can. They will go after cats that are three times their size too, no matter how many times they get their nose scratched. Hopefully this is the kind of dog you are looking for. If it isn't, I'd ask for my deposit back, since it is months away from now and they have plenty of time to sell the litter.
i'm not bagging on your choice of dogs. i breed and sell mixed breed and purbred poodles for pet homes. i just don't want you to get hosed just because they are cute.
